The Bigs head North

Former Bigs Commissioner Whit Altizer and Current Bigs Commissioner Sam Kirby spent much of the off season looking to expand the reach of the Bigs in 2010. "We really had to bury the hatchet on a lot of issues," Altizer said this week, "we have a long, rocky history that goes far beyond what was said to the press two years ago when Mr. Kirby took over."


That history includes extortion, adultery, collusion and accusations of cheating. Not to mention the infamous Carpenter-Alou trade between the Otters and the Meerkats. "Altizer said a lot of hurtful things," Kirby said in an New York Times interview, "but I will forgive him for the good of the league." Their renewed partnership looks to have benefitted the Bigs in 2010.

This February Altizer and Kirby headed north of the border to scout out a Canadian team that would extend the audience of the Bigs. They found on one of their scouting trips the perennial AAA powerhouse the Northside Blue Jays out of Fredricton, New Brunswick led by the baseball sage Tony Gallant.

Kirby and Altizer with Gallant after the contract negotiation

After many contractual issues and labor disputes the three finally negotiated the deal at a local Tim Horton's restaurant. "Tim Horton's holds a very special place in the hearts of Canadians," Peter Gammons noted, "I think picking this venue was more about symbolism than convenience. As if to say we respect the Blue Jays AND Canadian culture in the Bigs."

Mr. Gallant, for his part, seems happy to be a part of the storied league. "This is truly a pleasure to be a part of the Bigs," Gallant said to Baseball weekly, "though I am not sure of a league led by Sam Kirby."

Mr. Gallant has plenty of experience with baseball but how he will fare in the Bigs is largely uncertain. "The BJ's are good in Canada," Biscuits manager Joey Abel said, "but how does that translate to the Bigs?"